Interview by: Anand Harsh

Photo by: Mikey Revalds (Treevalds)

It would be difficult to pinpoint exactly when it was we picked up on the fierce originality of the East Bay's Angel Rubio-Hale. But underground bass fans would be hard pressed to disagree that 2019 has been the year of ONHELL.

After an admittedly hard 2018, Rubio-Hale is performing bigger and better slots, and producing his unique music at a high level. He has garnered praise for his Remixtape volumes, and now on September 19th, he'll be releasing a brand new EP, Kill Your Self Doubt on Plastician's Terrorhythm label.

Ahead the EP release, which is now available for pre-orer on vinyl, we have the honor of sharing “Hallelujah,” a gritty, synth-heavy lowing beast of a track. With crackling wires and distorted shudders, this taste of the 6-track EP lets fans know that Rubio-Hale's penchant for sound design is fervent. Not only that, but he's unafraid to explore the depths of his darkness.

I got the chance to ask him a few questions about the new release, and his newfound spotlight.

Your latest EP, Kill Your Self Doubt has such a signature sound, it's very “you,” but it encapsulates such a different sound than those of your peers, who are maybe going heavier, banging dubstep or riddim, or 140 wonk, or even halftime. As opposed to your hip-hop flips, your originals are slower, melody-driven, almost cinematic—is the EP's title a reference to your deep need to believe in your own sound because you're on such a unique trajectory?

2018 was probably the worst year of my life. For a while there I was under the impression I was gonna go to prison for a good number of years. Luckily I swooped out of that situation and am on the come up. It's been a long road and music definitely took a big hit during that period in my life. I know some find inspiration within conflict, but in this case, making music confidently was really hard. This next release is my come back. Kill Your Self Doubt is just a message I feel represents my mindset after all the turmoil and I hope it inspires more confidence in everyone's art. My sound just comes from what i love. A multitude of influences like Mt. Kimbie, Shlohmo, Arca, but also, EPROM, and all my peers.

Making a music video is such a massive undertaking. What compelled you to dive completely into a big project like “Graveyard Shift,” from incorporating Trim to executing this exuberantly artistic vision for the video?

Bruh, it's been a lot. When I was a kid it was always a war between making claymation videos and making music, but at a point, music won, and took over my entire life. Now, I'm just so inspired to make more music videos. Probably going to buy a camera and start doing more videos. But at this point, I do not want to edit them. Holy shit, it's been a hell of a month learning to use the editing program and then editing the video. Like, fuck. Please, if there are dope editors that wanna work together, hit me up.

The last time I saw you was our late night rendezvous in the ShadowTrix room for a B4B with Space Jesus, Freddy Todd, and Thelem, then you were instrumental in the debut Moon.Beach extravaganza out on Coney Island with Jasha and the gang again. What does it mean for you to have such high profile acts in the field put you on and give you a share of the spotlight?

I got nothing but love for Space Jesus. He's a good a friend at this point and we share a common ideal. Surround yourself with talented friends that you love and put them on. I really appreciate him shining a light on my music to his fans, and I will do the same thing. At this point, I'm just making making music with my homies, and thank god they are some of the most talented producers in the world.